President of Council Marjorie Harlow called Council to order on January 6

    President of Council Marjorie Harlow called Council to order on January 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

    The governmental body and those in attendance recited the pledge of allegiance.

    Mrs. McNear took roll call. Present were Council members Diehl, Galster, Squires, Vanover and Harlow. Council members Emerson and Hawkins arrived a few minutes late.

    The December 16, 2009 minutes were approved with two corrections. On page 8694 the word “seize” should be “siege”, and on page 8698 insert the word “get” between the words we and the…. I am not sure we “get” the…

COMMUNICATIONS

Mrs. McNear stated we received a request from OKI asking for a representative from Springdale Council to serve for the next year. Mrs. McNear will continue to be Springdale’s representative.

Mrs. McNear stated that we received a letter from the Government Finance Officers Association notifying us that Springdale has again received an award for our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Mrs. McNear read a letter from Mr. Robert G. and Joann Weckman, at 12030 Brookston Drive, addressed to elected officials in Springdale, regarding unopposed candidates for local elective offices. “Regrettably I have a prior commitment on Wednesday evening otherwise I would attend one of your meetings to personally address the subject issue that occurred in the recent election and has occurred with increasing frequency over the past several elections. I am writing to address my concern to you and anyone listening who may become a candidate in future elections. I submit that all candidates having their names certified on the ballot has an obligation prior to the election to introduce themselves to the citizens they intend to represent whether or not there are opposing candidates. A glaring example of a candidate’s failure to perform this responsibility occurred in the last election, and I have written a separate letter to that individual. The first time my wife and I ever heard of the council candidate from our district was when we saw his name on the ballot. How could we vote for a person who takes our votes for granted? Failure to perform this duty displays disrespect for the citizens they seek to represent and demonstrates that they do not understand the nature of elected office. How can elected officials represent citizens who are mutually unknown to each other? Of course you folks have no control over the actions of candidates for office, but you may influence those seeking information about the candidacy in the future. “

    ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

    ORDINANCE NO. 33-2009 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BERNINGER-MADDOX, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR THE AUDITS FOR YEAR-ENDED 2009 THROUGH YEAR-ENDED 2013”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Galster seconded. Ordinance 33-2009 passed with seven affirmative votes.

    ORDINANCE NO. 1-2010 “ANNUAL APPROPRIATE/ESTIMATED RECEIPS ORDINANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010”

    Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

    Mr. Parham reminded Council that at the December 16, 2009 meeting following the presentation of the 2010 Budget document, Council was not asked to adopt the budget document. The appropriation ordinance before Council this evening is the document that authorizes the expenditure and revenue transactions for the organization and are the same ones found in the budget document. In addition on Exhibit “B,” if you were to compare the $19,219,028 to the expenditures found in the budget document, these two numbers would not match. The number in the ordinance includes the Health Insurance Trust Fund expenditures as well as the expenditures in the Insurance Trust Fund. If you include those two numbers with the $17,292,853 you will then arrive at the $19,219,028.

    Mr. Galster stated that at our last meeting there was discussion about the revision of the numbers for the northbound SR 747 entrance ramp to westbound I-275 lane addition project. Has that been done?

    Mr. Parham replied that we have not made any adjustments to those numbers at this time, because we will not know the numbers for that project until the project goes out to bid. At some point, we will receive a proposal from the engineers on the design costs. That will give us the engineering costs. Once the project goes out to bid, we will then know the construction costs as well.

    Ordinance 1-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

    ORDINANCE 2-2010 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CDS ASSOCIATES, INC., FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE BEAVER RUN RIPARIAN CORRIDOR RESTORATION PROJECT, PHASE 2, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

    Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

    Mr. Parham stated that this Ordinance as well as Ordinance 3 for the repair and restoration work on Merchant Street was identified during the budget process. As you recall, we wanted to get the engineering work underway in case the federal government decides to provide stimulus funds in 2010. This should place us in a position to take advantage of that opportunity.

    Ordinance 2-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

    ORDINANCE 3-2010 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CDS ASSOCIATES FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES ON THE MERCHANT STREET REPAIR AND RESURFACING PROJECT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”

    Mr. Squires made a motion to adopt and Mr. Vanover seconded.

    Mayor Webster stated that early in the budget process, we identified three capital improvement projects we felt were important to try to obtain federal stimulus funds to underwrite the construction. This is the second of those three projects.

    Ordinance 3-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

    ORDINANCE 4-2010 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH FIRST FINANCIAL BANK RELATED TO A JOB RETENTION AND CREATION INCENTIVE AGREEMENT AND DECLARING AND EMERGENCY”

    Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

    Mayor Webster asked Mr. Tulloch to introduce the gentlemen representing First Financial Bank.

    Mr. Tulloch introduced Mr. Bill Poffenberger with Cincinnati Capital Properties, and Mr. Jim McGraw with KMK Consulting. Mr. McGraw is the President and CEO of KMK Consulting and is representing First Financial Bank. First Financial Bank will be committing to a 10-year term at Pictoria, that includes 80,000 square feet, and will initially employ 285 people and grow up to in excess of 400 in the course of the term.

Mr. McGraw spoke on behalf of First Financial Bank stating that they are thrilled to come to the City of Springdale and thrilled with Pictorial Tower and the exposure it will give the Bank. They plan to have 285 employees in place this spring and hope to grow as quickly as we can to over 400. We are very grateful for Jeff’s cooperation and the cooperation of the City, and we are looking forward to a terrific relationship with the City of Springdale.

Mr. Galster asked if we are at a letter of intent status or signed lease status at this point? Mr. Poffenberger stated that we are at a letter of intent status.

Ordinance 4-2010 was passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION R1-2010 “AUTHORIZING THE INVESTMENT OF MUNICIPAL FUNDS”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

Resolution R1-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

RESOLUTION R2-2010 “REQUESTING ADVANCE PAYMENT FROM HAMILTON COUNTY AUDITOR”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Galster seconded.

Mr. Hawkins asked when the City would receive the funds if we did not have this resolution.

Mrs. McNear replied that the law was changed several years ago stating that it has to be requested. We sent a letter in December and received the check by the end of the year.

Resolution R2-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

    Mrs. Harlow stated that before we can read the next Resolution, we need to have a nomination for the open position on the Tax Review Board. Mr. Roy Mitchell has been serving on that committee for quite a few years. His term is due to expire.

Mr. Diehl re-nominated Mr. Roy Mitchell. He does an outstanding job on this committee.

RESOLUTION R3-2010 “APPOINTING ROY MITCHELL AS A MEMBER OF THE TAX REVIEW BOARD”

Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Squires seconded.

    Mrs. Harlow offered her support of Mr. Mitchell in this position.

    Resolution R3-2010 passed with seven affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Webster stated that First Financial Bank will fill Pictoria Tower I to 100% capacity. The Mayor also stated that he will be cutting the ribbon next week for Cincinnati Bell Technology, and cutting the ribbon for Tree House Kids on Friday, January 15th.

    NEW BUSINESS                     -     none

    MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Mr. Galster stated that Planning Commission held a special meeting on December 22nd. All members were in attendance for discussion of the Pictoria Island sign issue. Several packages were offered, some on building signs another option had a monument sign for the major tenant, and it was approved with a 7-0 vote. There was also a subcommittee work session meeting on the electronic sign this past Tuesday. It is moving forward and hopefully something will be coming to the Planning Commission soon.

    Mr. Hawkins stated that the Volunteer Firefighters Committee met in December, and the Committee of Rules & Law met on December 29.

COMMITTEE AND OFFICIAL REPORTS

    Civil Service Commission                     -     no report
Rules and Laws        -    January 27
Finance Committee        -    no report
Planning Commission         -      January 12
Board of Zoning Appeals         -     January 19
Board of Health        -    January 14
Veteran’s Memorial Committee         -     no report
O-K-I        -    no report
Mayor’s Report              -     no report
Law Director’s Report              -     no report
    Engineer’s Report             -    no report

    COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE        -      none

UPDATE ON LEGISLATION STILL IN DEVELOPMENT    -    none

Mrs. Harlow asked the Mayor to talk about the appointment of Mrs. Julie Wright to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Mayor Webster stated that on December 18th he appointed Julie to the Commission. She is a life-long resident of the City, she and her family participated in youth sports activities, and she and her husband have coached as well.

RECAP OF LEGISLATIVE ITEMS REQUESTED        -     none

Council adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

                        Respectfully submitted,

                        Kathy McNear
                        Clerk of Council/Finance Director

Minutes Approved:
Marjorie Harlow, President of Council

__________________________, 2010